The Infotainers Blog

Leveraging your blog to promote your next trade show or event will give you a leg up on the competition and prepare you for the big day. Adding relevant content, responding to frequently asked questions, or making a guide to your exhibit booth for attendees are all...

As most exhibitor veterans know, attending multiple trade shows every year can take a toll on your budget. Exhibiting at a trade show is not a cheap endeavor, but with the right amount of preparation and planning, there are many ways to effectively cut your trade show...

Attention Marketers, The CFOs are coming for you. If you are a CMO or a VP of marketing, have you noticed that the CFOs are sniffing around? It’s no surprise because one of the biggest advertisers in the World, Proctor, and Gamble...

We’ve had our head in the clouds; the technology type that is, not the cumulous variety! That’s because we’ve been researching technology and cloud trade fairs to provide you with the best upcoming cloud trade shows in 2018 & 2019. Learn more about our top cloud trade...

If you’re in the tech industry, you want to be at the right technology trade shows in order to expand your business and stay up-to-date with the newest innovations in the industry. Here are some recommendations for the best events to host a tech exhibit at in 2019. 1....

It’s no secret that trade fairs are a powerful and effective way to get your products or services in front of the right leads. They gather decision makers and those with buying power who are looking for the latest and greatest in your industry: access control. We’ve...

Las Vegas is the mecca for trade shows and conferences, especially tech trade shows like the upcoming HIMSS 2018 in March. The “City of Lights” hosts around 20,000 trade shows every year - the biggest being the Consumer Electronics Show in January - and with so many...

5 Exhibiting Mistakes to Avoid at Your Next Show Working with handfuls of companies every year at dozens of events we at The Infotainers see our share of companies getting in their own way. Here are a list of the top 5 exhibiting mistakes to avoid. Untrained Booth...

One of the most important aspects of exhibiting at a trade show is booth design, placement, and organization. It can be tough to stay on top of the most up-to-date trade show trends, especially when the only constant is that those trends are always changing. New...

Content is a big buzzword at the moment. You know it’s important for awareness and growth, especially in the tech industry, but sometimes aren’t sure what : Topics to address Medium to share content through (Email, social media…) And how to get prospects to engage...

It’s easy to get caught up in the madness of a trade show and then, after all that hard work, realize no one team member was on top of social media. Without a plan or specific action steps in place, your business won’t maximize social media marketing for your trade...

Orlando, Florida, is a hot spot for trade shows. Some examples include: Microsoft Ignite Cisco Live (MS Ignite and Cisco Live are both referenced in our Top Tech Trade Shows 2018) International Medical Equipment Expo That’s why I’ve created this guide to Orlando trade...

New year’s resolutions are great. It’s true. But, there’s a problem with most of them : A lack of strategy. Good news: There are effective ways to successfully launch new year goals for your business that go beyond regular hopes and dreams. Here’s how to ensure goals...

Most tech companies exhibit at trade shows every year. There are important reasons why and strategies for doing so. Build Rapport with Face-to-Face Time In an industry where most connections are online, attending a trade show is a great way to get facetime and build...

Trade shows are a grueling energy sapping affair. That's why it's nice when your trade show manager really takes care of you. By supporting your booth staff and giving them everything they can possibly need you win their loyalty and they'll give you the best they have...

The hardest step to host a trade show booth can be deciding what show to exhibit at. We get it. With a variety of trade event options, it can be overwhelming. Here are simple steps to choose the best place to have a trade show booth. Decide Your Trade Show WHY Before...

So the other day, I was training a company, their booth staff in a tradeshow and it was made up of a bunch of engineers and very technical-minded people. And what was interesting was I added an extra slide to the presentation that was from...

The key to trade show booth success is organization. When your ducks are in a row, it allows: Your team to feel calm and confident. A good, “We got this!” energy that attracts trade show attendees. The smooth execution of trade show strategies for more sales. That’s...

Hey, it's Anders here, and there's something that I wanted to put out there, something that I wanted to get off my chest, and it involves leadership in marketing. So, whether you're a CMO, VP of Marketing, Director of Marketing, right...

Emails are critical for trade show marketing, and the right format will be key to more leads. Here are a few email templates to turn trade show attendees into potential customers. Email Template to Set Up Appointments and Demos Setting appointments before the event...

Do you feel confident on how to use business cards at a trade show? If the answer is no; you are not alone. Many people are looking for ways to use business cards more effectively while at a Trade Show. It’s a great intention. When you hand over your business card at...

Does writing emails to trade show attendees and potential leads feel daunting? It’s understandable. When you write to potential leads, you know every word and sentence must be strategic. After all, an email could make or break whether they become a customer or not....

If you’re in the tech industry, you want to be at the right technology trade shows to expand your business and reach. Here are some recommendations for the best events to host a tech exhibit at. International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) When: January 9 - 12, 2018...

Some Facebook Live Footage of Day 3 on the trade show floor at VM World 2017. Walk with The Infotainers Founder and CEO Anders Boulanger as he tours around the show floor pointing out clients and booths of interest in this ultra...

When you’re planning a trade show booth, there’s a lot of things on the To Do list - but is incorporating a magic show one of them? Most businesses haven’t considered this possibility before. Amid the booth design, team selection and beyond, there is so much else...

They say the clothes make the man (or woman). This is especially true at a trade show. You have merely moments to make a first impression on potential customers. According to the Harvard Study of Communications, you have only 7 seconds to make that first impression....

At a trade show, you want to have more than just a backup plan. In addition to Plan B, be ready for the unexpected with Plan C and D. Here’s an easy way to do this: Prep a trade show emergency kit (i.e. A “gang box”) with anything the team might need. Yes, there are...

The idea of having competitors exhibiting at a trade show can be scary; it’s easy to assume that such competition could only limit your own company’s trade show success. Good news though: There are effective strategies to implement when at the same trade show as your...

It takes careful planning to execute a successful trade show booth; with so many details to account for, it’s easy for something to slip under the rug. But don’t worry. We have put together the ultimate checklist for trade show exhibitors. This trade show timeline...

Attending a trade show in the Bay Area is an exciting endeavor; Silicon Valley is a place thriving with startups, technology and new opportunities. Having a booth at a San Francisco trade show (or nearby city) also requires forward thinking and planning. Here are...

It takes a team to put together a great trade show booth; such a team may go outside your immediate employees. It’s likely you’ll be working with other vendors and contractors, such as: Temporary event staff Outside designers or manufacturers Transportation & delivery...

If you’re hosting a trade show booth at a large-scale event, there will probably be competitors there. Don’t see this is as a negative; this likely means you are exactly where you need to be! Plus, this type of in-person event is the perfect chance to show your unique...

To have a successful trade show, you need to be empowered before with the right resources and inspiration. We want you to host the best possible trade show booth - and feel fearless doing it. That’s why we recommend these 6 videos for trade show tips, information and...

Hey, it's Anders here, and I am coming to you live from ProMat. Of course, this is a recording, so I'm not going to be live when you're watching this. But here's what I wanted to show you. I've never done this show before, and it's about...

A trade show invites great opportunities - and hard questions from the trade show attendees. Especially if it’s your first time working a trade show booth, there may be questions that surprise or unnerve you. That’s why it’s best to prepare ahead of time. Think about...

Based on the average person, you have merely 7 seconds to get someone’s attention (source). Because of this, every word or phrase uttered at your trade show booth is critical. What you say can capture a trade show attendee’s attention - in a positive or negative way....

A few years back I started a Trade Show Memes blog on Tumblr. I'd find memes already created and I even made some of my own. The idea was to curate a collection of trade show related memes in order to connect with the trade show exhibiting community on social media....

Going to an international trade show is exciting, but it can also feel scary and present unexpected challenges. Here are trade show tips for when you go to a trade show abroad. Make sure everyone has their passport. This may sound basic, but do a passport check well...

If you have a service-based business, it may feel difficult to display your offerings at a trade show. Unlike a company with products, there is no straight-forward, physical item to highlight. Luckily, there are still ways to get the job done. Here are ways to help...

Hey, Anders here, I'm at AWS 2016. I wanted to share something with you really special is that behind me, there's a booth that's called Datadog. I heard about it because I kind of had an insider tip that told me that these guys were doing...

If you’re a product-based business, you understand the draw of attending trade shows. Exhibiting for you is powerful because it enables potential leads to experience something physical by, well, being physically there in-person with it. However, many companies make...

Las Vegas trade shows offer great opportunities to generate leads and grow your business; however, unforeseen circumstances here can also lead to abrupt stress and exhaustion. With the right know how, it’s easy to avoid the unexpected hassles. This guide to surviving...

What is a sales presenter? A sales presenter is a specially trained individual who communicates and persuades from the stage to leverage the company’s message and generate leads for the sales teams. There are a few key reasons why smart companies enlist the help of...

You’ve signed up for a trade show. Now, be careful because before you know it, it’ll be the big day. Avoid mishaps by taking care of the necessary steps for a great trade show early. Be thorough & don’t forget about the details. In the excitement of preparing your...

Research reveals that most communication is nonverbal; in fact, studies show that 55% of the of our communication is done through body language - some claim even more. We see this in many ways. Handshakes. Those who nod along as someone else is speaks. People looking...

It’s after the trade show - now what? Back at the office, it’s important to remember - the trade show efforts are not over. The days after are often the most critical for keeping the momentum going and to help generate ROI. Here are the easy things to do after a trade...

If you plan to be an exhibitor at a trade show, or have signed up for one already, it is likely that you are asking this: What’s the best way grab attendees’ attention AND educate them on how our products/services can help them? A powerful method is to hire trade show...

Are you a startup preparing for a trade show? If so, especially if it’s for the first time, the process can feel treacherous. Indeed, your blossoming company may be at a trade show with large corporations that already have long standing reputations. Don’t worry...

If you follow this blog you know that our company, The Infotainers, is hired by organizations to create leads and impact profits at trade shows all over the world. Traveling to dozens of trade shows a year in both North America and Europe I've become somewhat of a...

We can connect with clients on social media. On the phone. Through direct mail campaigns. However, there is no deeper connection than meeting on a face-to-face level. Creating a relationship is key to long term sales and expansion. That’s why the #1 way to increase...

More bang for your buck. Money doesn’t grow on trees. You get what you pay for. These are money sayings you’re well aware of. They have prevailed because of their truth. As money does not simply grow on trees, it’s crucial to maximize your funds in the right way. This...

As you know, trade fairs are a powerful way to get your products and services in front of the right leads. They gather decision makers and those with buying power looking for the latest and greatest in your industry: access control. We’ve honed in on the best access...

We’ve had our head in the clouds ­ the technology type that is, not the cumulous variety. That’s because we’ve been researching technology and cloud trade fairs to provide you with the best cloud trade shows in 2016 & 2017. Simply skim to learn the 2016 & 2017 cloud...

There’s a bossy blog title for you. What is this post about? It’s about influencing your prospects with your language skills. Whether you are in sales or marketing at a trade show, you need to know this technique because it’s very powerful. Before we get into the...

Naturally, you want to attend the best information security trade show for your business. The question might just be: Which information security trade fair(s) should you invest in? That’s why we’ve done the research for you. Here’s a 2017 trade show calendar with the...

Recently we've added a new piece to The Infotainers Headquarters. We employed two artists to create a chalk wall piece that incorporates elements of our brand promise. This 9'x9' chalk wall mural has become the back drop for our video emails and webinars. Let's take a...

No matter what industry you’re in, having a booth at a relevant trade show can allow your business to generate leads and gain higher, long-term profits. If done correctly, you can grow your business and increase revenue. Here are 5 ways trade shows will boost your...

If you work in the events industry you probably have a few things that you love about your job. Here is one of my guilty pleasures at trade shows on the set-up day. It's perfectly acceptable and the only time I litter with impunity....

Yogi Berra was a baseball coach who had a colorful and often paradoxical way with words. He coined many memorable quotes that are used in both sporting and non-sporting contexts to this very day. One of the most famous is the line “The game ain’t over till it’s over”....

You work really hard to put together the best trade show booth, so that you can attract the most qualified trade show leads possible. It’s a big investment of time, money and resources, so you want to make sure it brings in as many potential clients and customers as...

Think about this: Why do you go to trade shows? As you probably know, it’s great to have trade show booths for many reasons. A trade show booth is a physical presence that shows potential customers and clients that you’re serious about your business. You’ve taken the...

Hey, it's Ander's here, at The Infotainers HQ. This is probably the most casual you're going to ever see me dressed. But it's on purpose. It's by design, not by default. This is a t-shirt from some of my clients. I have a...

It's Anders here. I'm working a show and I just have to share this with you. Behind me, the booth you see right over my shoulder, yesterday they were breaking so many boothmanship rules I couldn't even help myself, I had to count them....

He doesn't pull rabbits out of a hat or drive a skewer through his forearm like some well-known illusionists. But Winnipegger Anders Boulanger can turn five US$1 bills into five US$50 bills with the snap of his fingers. And even better, he has turned a boyhood...

I just recently got back from Oracle Open World and I was working for a company by the name of Zerto. They are a relatively new company that is growing by leaps and bounds in the virtualization space of the tech sector. They did a couple of things differently as an...

I recently saw this game at Oracle Open World and it's a great example of a simple game that can capture attention and attract booth visitors to your exhibit. It will cost you a little money but it will be totally worth it with all...

When pleasing to the eye and pleasing the shareholders are two very different things. In my line of work I see a lot of interesting booths and exhibit ideas. It’s a treat to see the innovation and thought that is put into the design of modern day exhibits. However,...

If you have followed my blog at all you might have noticed that I’m a big fan of direct response marketing (DR). The kind of marketing you find in infomercials, in sales letters and the like. I’m a fan of DR because it’s systematic and measurable. There’s no guess...

Everyone wants a strong ROI after a Trade Show and the competition is fierce to get it. You must distinguish yourself to be memorable. There are so many decisions when you decide to exhibit at a trade show. Choose a booth design, select the best booth staff, deliver a...

Whether you watched the whole video or not, I think you get the idea. The girls dance in provocative outfits to music played on Alpine stereos. For so many reasons this is wrong: The blatant objectification of women, the lack of any real substance and the sub-par...

Hi, it's Anders at Trade Show Infotainer, here with another tip. Today we're going to be talking about "eye level is buy level." We're actually at the National Retail Show; the big retail show in New York at...

When it comes to trade show booths, is bigger always better? That depends on a lot of considerations, your budget being one of them. Let's take a look at the pros and cons of going up a size and see how things measure up. Bigger Presence Your...

Since 1991, the RSA conference has been the forum for cryptographers to meet and share the latest advancements in internet security. It has grown to become the foremost IT security exhibition and conference in the world. On April 20th, over...

It's Anders the Trade Show Infotainer here, and today I want to talk about cross-selling. Now, when you're cross-selling at a trade show booth, this is where you are the intermediary. You're going to take the person who is the attendee,...

A few months back I posted a blog post that tore into the use of Booth Babes. Using booth babes from a leads point of view doesn’t work, and their very presence says something about your company and how you operate. I’ve overheard some...

Putting your booth in the best location is the key to success. But where is the best location? Taken from my Trade Secrets Exhibitor Training DVD, I will briefly tell you the Pros and Cons of some of the most common places of booth location....

DistribuTECH is the largest annual Transmission and Distribution (of electricity) event celebrating its 25th anniversary on February 3-5, 2015 in San Diego! It covers the whole T&D industry, with thousands of attendees and continues to grow...

From the midwest to Milan, Anders Boulanger will be traveling and presenting with Magnet Productions to represent Infoblox at Cisco Live Milan on January 27-30, 2015 in Milan, Italy! Anders is excited to be making the trip,“This will be my...

Social Media presence is huge in marketing your business, so why not use these tools to get your brand and solutions noticed before the trade show or business fair you plan on attending? To build a stronger following, make sure to have...

The BIGGEST retail expo and convention is back again! The Big Retail Show is being held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City from January 11th-13th, 2015. Acclaimed, Trade Show Presenter, Anders Boulanger will be...

Using free gifts to attract trade show attendees to your booth is popular for a reason. People like receiving free gifts and providing one invokes the principle of reciprocity. If someone receives something they want to give something in...

You have approximately four seconds to make a positive first impression to passing by attendees at a trade show. You are the product on display. Remember, attendees aren't looking to ogle a booth babe. In fact, research shows that attractive...

When it comes to design and marketing, there is always an ongoing tension between both form and function. There is a balance that is struck between something looking attractive and something that also fulfills its intended purpose. The data...

Have you ever lose your voice right when you needed it most? Did you ever give so many public speeches that your voice became hoarse? By day two or three at trade shows, inexperienced presenters will lose their voice, and even your booth...

In the 1992 U.S. presidential election, Bill Clinton's chief strategist James Carville coined the phrase, "It's the economy, stupid" as their primary strategy to unseat then-President George H. W. Bush. This saying helped refocus the campaign...

As a professional trade show Infotainer, I spend a great deal of time in major trade show cities. A number of my clients are in the tech sector, and because of the proximity to Silicon Valley, a lot of tech trade shows take place at Moscone...

Sure they will get looks but a Booth Babe will not generate foot traffic or leads. I have more success getting on top of a table to draw a crowd! Booth babes simply do not draw the crowds, the right audience nor the numbers you want to...

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vp6mGV0TmCQ Create Trade Show Traffic Using This Formula The Triple 'A' Trade Show Traffic Triangle is a formula I came up with that illustrates the steps involved to get booth visitors into your exhibit. So, how do you pack your booth...

I want to talk about an interesting phenomenon that fellow parents will totally understand. Do you ever see your kids behaving better at other people's places than your own? Why are they so good for Grandma and Grandpa? You can show them how...

The best Trade Show Presenters will get a large crowd by attracting the attention of the attendees passing by the trade show booth. There are a few ways to get the attention of others, but the most important factor in getting attention is by...

Have you ever seen an amazing performance by a comedian, an actor, or even a street performer? Do you remember how electric that performance felt? Do you remember how "on" that performer was; how "in the moment" he or she was? You may have...

As a trade show infotainer, I pride myself on being prepared for any eventuality. In my experience, Murphy's Law – which states, if there is anything that can go wrong, it will – seems to ring true for most trade shows. The acronym A.H.A.B....

My dad loves baseball. Even at the age of 66, he still plays slow-pitch baseball both in the summer and down south in the winter. When I was a kid, he coached me, and although I wasn't particularly gifted and was cursed with a wild arm, I did...

In past blog posts we discussed how by being different one can stand out and get noticed by trade show attendees and thus increase your presence, your traffic and your sales leads. Now that you have them stopped, now what? This article will...

1. Chairs in Presentation Theaters Providing seating for your booth visitors may seem like a good idea, but there are times when this really doesn't serve you. Chairs can take up valuable booth space. In the same square footage that 8 chairs occupy, you can have 15...

Visitors to the New York Times booth at the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show received a customized gift — a digital portrait made of passages based on a single word they had selected. This stunning gift, reports Exhibitor Online,...